A Restriction on Congressional Salaries

Just two years ago, I published the original commentary on July 16, 2013 concerning Congressional Salaries. This was the second of a two part commentary where on July 15, 2013, I discussed Term Limits. I have posted these several times because I believe that in order to resolve the “old boy” network in the Congress, and virtually no one in the Congress will vote for a loss of his or her “job”, it is time to have the States impose a required Term Limit on existing Members of Congress.

The Framers did not believe that these positions were to be for life, or for the most powerful or for those with the financial resources to keep their high esteemed positions. This was Public Service not Civil Service. Too bad this concept has become so misunderstood over time.

In addition, this was not supposed to be a position where a Member could profit from either during their time in office or in the time after they left, either by retirement, resignation, or election, and certainly not at the taxpayers’ expense.

Please find below the original commentary and the addition added last year as the movement Term Limits For Congress kicked off the drive to use Article V of the Constitution to have the States impose Term Limits on ALL Members of Congress. And please find my update posted yesterday called The Push For Article V and Term Limits. You can find both of these and many others either at TheMinorityReportblog.com, TheBoldPursuit.com or on my blogsite, Frankmchalesviews.com. Thanks for your loyalty and your comments.

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Congressional Salaries (revisited)

On May 26, 2014, Term Limits for US Congress began the process under Article V of the Constitution to persuade at least 34 states (2/3) to call for a Constitutional amendment to limit terms of Representatives and Senators. On July 15 and 16, 2013, I wrote a two part commentary discussing Term Limits and also Congressional Salaries.

I have republished both of these yesterday and today in support of such an Amendment to the Constitution. As always, your comments are welcome. Thank you.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

 Congressional Salaries

 Yesterday, I discussed Term Limits for Representatives and Senators. Essentially, we need to force Members of Congress to put forward and pass legislation which will prohibit any American from serving more than 12 years in either position.

There is, I admit, one flaw in my proposal that I failed to address and that is crossover. What I mean by this for example, if a Representative wishes to run for Senator and he hasn't exhausted the 12 year rule, he may run, and if he is re-elected and serves his remainder of 12 years as a Senator, he MAY NOT  run as a Representative again. He has given more than enough to the country, with our thanks. Basically, the person serves up to a total of 12 years and that's it. At no time may the MC exceed 12 years between the House and Senate.

With regard to salaries, the 27th Amendment discusses how and when Congressional salaries are adjusted. Since Members of Congress maintain businesses outside their role in the Congress, there is no need to bankrupt the country with exorbitant salary increments. Instead, the salary increment may not exceed 1/2 of 1% of the average private industry increase.

This formula is pretty straight-forward. Remember that a Representative or Senator ran for this position to devote time to the country, not to get rich off the taxpayer. In addition, by limiting salary increments this way, one would want to leave and move on to other ventures, leaving room for new blood to take the reins of power. "Fresh minds have fresh ideas," Kirk said to Scott in Star Trek II, The Wrath of Khan.

Medical benefits would not be the high priced package that MC currently enjoys. Even if Obamacare is repealed and replaced, a congressional benefits package would be equal to that of an average American family, with co-pays, deductibles and employee paid premiums the rest of us pay. The benefits are lost when the Member leaves office, whether by election or retirement. There is no COBRA eligibility with a congressional position.

With regard to pensions, it is absolutely disgraceful that a Member of Congress continues to be paid his salary as a pension after he leaves office. Instead, since the MC will serve only serve 12 years, as in private industry there is vesting time to be applied to how the pension is awarded.

No pension is paid to anyone who serves less than 5 years, and since the MC can serve only 12 years, the most he or she will be awarded is 1/3 their average salary as a pension. And since an IRA participant generally may not receive the benefit without penalty before 59 1/2 years old, neither may the retired Member of Congress. But the pension will only be paid on a program of 10 Year period certain.

Finally, should the retired Member of Congress choose to take a position with a company, agency or any other type of employment or consulting that is recognized as one who is a lobby company to the Congress or any other Federal Department or Agency, the pension rights are lost forever.

With regard to existing and retired congress men and women, they will be affected by this change, as well. Effective at the time appropriate legislation is passed, the 10 year period certain will kick in for all, at 1/3 of their average salary for time served, up to 12 years. Again, if they served less than five years, any existing pension or pension rights will expire as of December 31 of the effective year. If they are lobbyists or other positions not permitted to get pensions, their payout will cease at the end of the month of enactment.

This legislation will begin to cut into unnecessary expenses that the country can no longer afford. And isn't everybody's goal to cut the deficit? Let's start with those who allowed this to happen.

What do you think?

The Push For Article V and Term Limits

Last May, those of us who support term limits for all members of Congress started educating Americans on the purpose of Article V of the Constitution. There have been several issues in which this Article was used in the past, most recently, to effect a change in the Constitution for a Balanced Budget amendment. Unfortunately, that has hit several roadblocks, especially since we are unsure how to make the various proponents to agree on one or two specific reasons to get it through the States.

This Article was designed by the Framers to permit the States to circumvent the Congress to call for a Constitutional Convention or to enact legislation to present Amendments to the President for signature. This is a two- step process: First, 2/3 of the States (34) must agree there is a need for an amendment. Second, ¾ of the States (38) must ratify the Amendment.

The current movement has 24 States in various stages of the process to get the Amendment passed. This represents a significant increase over the last time the same process was begun in the early 1990s and failed in 1995. At that time, only 15 states agreed to limit Congressional terms. But since the 1994 election actually changed the Congress from a Democrat to a Republic majority, the feeling was that the logjam which existed since 1954 was finally freed. But the same problems which existed then still exist. Hence, the current movement.

I have been a proponent for years to limit terms for both the House and Senate. I have included my Commentaries from May 27, 2014 and July 15, 2013 outlining my proposals. Tomorrow, I will republish Part 2 of this series of commentaries concerning Congressional Salaries. I urge you to contact your State Representatives and demand they sign on to the Article V Movement for Term Limits. As always, your comments are welcomed.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Term Limits (revisited)

On May 26, 2014, Term Limits for Congress began the process under Article V of the Constitution to persuade at least 34 states (2/3) to call for a Constitutional amendment to limit terms of Representatives and Senators. On July 15, 2013, I wrote a two part commentary on Term Limits and also Congressional Salaries.

I am republishing both of these over the next two days in support of such an Amendment to the Constitution. As always, your comments are welcome. Thank you.   

Monday, July 15, 2013

Term Limits

 I remember on December 31, 2011, the late Ed Koch and I debated the issue of term limits for both members of the House of Representatives and the Senate. This is clear to me because I was sitting at my oncology center getting another chemo treatment for my cancer. And, of course, it’s either TV, read or play with your phone or iPad. You haves to pass the time away and keep your wits about you.

Anyway, I emailed him a commentary why term limits for Members of Congress was essential, and of course, as a former Congressman, he viewed the issue as a non-starter. His view was that while it made sense to term the Congress, no member would voluntarily limit their own power or control of the government.

My answer to him was that I read the Constitution forward, backward and inside out, and nowhere did it say that this was a civil service position that one had for life unless he or she was voted out. Incumbency, I said, was at least 2/3 of the reason people were elected again and again, even when they did nothing or did not act in the best interests of their constituents.

In addition, I continued, the Framers' intent, while not written, was inferred and implied that a citizen would devote some of his time and abilities to the good of the country and then, after a fashion, return to private life. Keeping in mind that the Congress met only for a brief time each year, this made eminently good sense, unlike now where it meets approximately nine months, spread out across the entire year.

I even reminded him that it was the Congress who brought forward, passed and ultimately was successful in creating the 22nd amendment, which limits the President to two four year terms, or a total of 10 years, in the event of a succession to the presidency by the Vice President or other key person in the line of succession, such as, the Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, etc., as outlined in the Constitution.  And of course, the language was not politically motivated, as it did not affect the person in office at the time it was passed by the states.

Surely, if you knew him or knew of him, Ed was a very strong-willed man, and as such, was unyielding in his position. I thanked him, of course, and we remained friends and continued to correspond right up until a few days before he died in February. I enjoyed our discourse and our debates, although on many issues, we did agree or at least, understood and respected each other when we didn't.

So now, having laid out the premise, finally, of this commentary, this is what I propose:

- A Constitutional Amendment to change the term of a Representative from two years to four years. The purpose of this is to provide for efficiency and productivity, so that the incumbent isn't beginning his next campaign six or eight months after his or her term began. The representative will be limited to two more elections thereafter, for life. Since the entire House is subject to election at the same time, this will be effective upon the first election after passage.

- In the same Amendment, change the term of a Senator from six years to four years, for the same reasons as outlined above. The Senator will be limited to two more elections, thereafter, for life. Any term not yet completed includes the remaining years of the current term. This will be effective with the first election after passage.

- At no time, however, will a Representative or Senator's term exceed 12 years.  This includes terms created by appointment, special election or any other unlisted reason as the Member has an opportunity to be elected up to two more times on his or her own.

This is, of course, subject to review and debate. But it is essential that we begin to take back our Government and put its controls into the hands of the governed, not the governors. Now is the time to start.

What do you think? I am sure the Members of Congress would want to know, if they want what's best for the country and the people. Right?

Memorial Day, 2015 - A Remembrance

Memorial Day has always been for me, and many other Americans, a solemn day of remembrance of our war dead. I recall as a little boy my first Memorial Day celebration in 1957, where I went with my Dad to his hometown in Howard Beach, NY to see the parade which was much different than any other parade I had seen before. There was a constant beat of the drums but there was no songs played, as men and, to a lesser extent, women marching with their American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars hats, in suits or dresses, of all ages and sizes, to the center of the community where the American flag was at half-staff.

My Dad was a veteran of the Forgotten War, the Korean “Conflict”, along with a younger brother and a dear friend, while two of his older brothers were veterans of World War II. They were all there, paying homage to their friends who had died in the battles of war, defending our liberties and freedoms from possible foreign aggressors, like the Nazis, the Japanese Empire and the Communists of China and the old Soviet Union. My cousins and I stood in awe as five and six year olds, as we listened to the speeches given by men and women who saw and understood the horror of war.

This impacted me greatly throughout my life and the lives of so many of my generation. I pray always for our troops who still fight the foreign wars to protect our liberties and freedoms for all of us at home. I pray that someday we may find a way to finally bring peace to the world, a world filled with aggressors against peoples weaker than them. I pray that someday, for our children and grandchildren, we can tell them it was all done to give them a world better than the one we grew up and lived in.

Please remember why this is a holiday and a Holy Day in this country. Our fathers, mothers, grandparents and all our ancestors sacrificed much to give us the America we have today. And some, God Bless Them, gave the Ultimate Sacrifice and paid with their blood to ensure the Blessings of Liberty we continue to enjoy and hope to pass on to our posterity.

THAT is the meaning of Memorial Day to me.

Friday, May 23, 2014

The Meaning of Memorial Day (revisited)

This commentary was originally published on May 24, 2013 in honor of Memorial Day, and to give it its proper due for all of us to remember why we celebrate it. You can find this commentary and others in my personal blogsite, Frank McHale’s Viewpoints, Frankmchalesviews.blogspot.com. Your comments are certainly always welcome. Thank you and enjoy! -FM

Friday, May 24, 2013

The Meaning of Memorial Day

It's Memorial Day weekend and many of us will be at BBQs, at the beach, in the mountains or visiting with friends and relatives. It is the "unofficial" start of summer, where leisure time is treasured and the warmer weather makes us feel so alive. As Americans, we live mostly in temperate climates, although Alaskans will say "where?", Floridians will have something to say about the humidity, and Hawaiians will say they are in weather paradise.

However, it seems we have lost some of the meaning of Memorial Day. Sure, we know it is one of our federal holidays, like Labor Day, Columbus Day and Presidents' Day. But do we understand the history and significance of this special day?

Initially, it was created after the American Civil War to honor those soldiers who died, whether Union or Confederate, as they were all Americans. The holiday was called Decoration Day, because it was felt, that friends and families would go to the gravesites of the deceased and adorn the grave with flowers, plants, ribbons or other appropriate decoration. By the early 20th century, the holiday evolved not only to honor Civil War dead, but any member of the Armed Forces who died in battle. The name was changed, as well, to Memorial Day and moved to May 31 throughout the country in order to be consistent.

This holiday's purpose should not be confused with Veterans Day, initially called Armistice Day to celebrate the end of WWI, which honors all veterans, living and now deceased. These honorees did not have to die in battle to be so honored, only that they served.

In 1970, Memorial Day was moved to the last Monday in May. This was done so that we would have several three-day weekends to make our work weeks somewhat more efficient for business. Other holidays which fall on Mondays for this purpose are MLK Day, Presidents' Day, Labor Day and Columbus Day.

The remaining holidays stayed on their calendar date. These are New Year's Day, Independence Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Initially, Veterans Day was moved to the last Monday in October, but veterans' groups complained, so the Congress moved the holiday back to November 11th.

So, while you are in your backyard, the park or other site enjoying your Memorial Day party, take a moment to close your eyes, say a prayer, and thank all the deceased military who gave their lives protecting our freedom, preserving our liberty and allowing us to live in the most democratic country the world has ever seen.

It is the least we can do as Americans. Our Founding Fathers would expect as much.

The President Is a Twit!

Barry got himself a Twitter account? Who really gives a hoot? I don't. Do you? Nor, will I be giving him a tweet for that matter.

So, the man who goes around telling everyone what they need to do is now going to be sitting around tweeting it? Great! More of our tax dollars NOT at work!

I took a look at the page and it really indicated he was a narcissist in his page description. To be fair, there is nothing this stooge or his wife will do which will make me like them. If they gave millions to the American Cancer Society or to AIDS research, I would still question their motives.

To me, they are the chairman and chairwoman of that vanity radio station, WIFM - What's Init For Me.

If you think he will care what you tweet to him, believe me, hold your breath for a response. Nothing of any true meaning will be forthcoming. Oh, you may get a canned response from one of his stooges, but he won't see it. After all, with about 600 days left, there are not too many additional free golf games coming his way with his favorite Tee Time.

So, if you wish to Tweet Barry, by all means do so. I will, instead, be too busy watching the grass grow. Or paint dry. I find those activities to be more interesting than anything he has to say.

Hey Barry? Tweet this!

The Real Meaning of the Circle of Life

A really good friend of mine became a grandmother again this weekend. Her daughter gave birth to her first daughter. The Circle of Life moves forward.

She sent me pictures and I can tell you, the Little Princess is beautiful. Already you can see family resemblances - Grandma's nose and cheeks are there!

To me, the birth of a baby is God's message telling us the world must go on. It is up to us, obviously, to figure out how to do it. Peacefully.

I know I saw joy and happiness on my friend's face. I can only imagine the look of exhaustion on her daughter's. But I would bet that today, one day later, the pain of the labor she experienced is already becoming a dim memory. It will be replaced by the sense of elation.

The miracle of birth is the one we share with other species on this planet. But only we truly can understand the meaning, the beauty of helping to give life to another being. And as a man, I can only imagine the true joy a new Mom is feeling. I am sure it is much more than even I can think it is.

So – Congratulations, Grandma! Enjoy your bundle of joy always as you are today. Spoil her as you do your grandsons. You are allowed.

To the new - again Mom (and Dad), treasure your little girl. Teach her all there is to know to enjoy a happy life.

And remember, start saving now, because in 20 years or so from now, I see a big wedding to which I am invited. I am sure it will be a fun time for all.

And that Circle of Life begins anew. God Bless all of you!

The Subtle Attempt to Censor Criticism

Several of my liberal friends sent me feedback on a commentary I wrote earlier this week, called Matter of a Free Press in America. This commentary discussed Barack Obama and his comments with regard to Fox News.

Now, in spite of what some people on both sides of the political spectrum think about my philosophical and political bent, I am not a conservative. Nor, am I a right wing nut. However. I am not a fan of Barry Soetoro Hussein Obama or ANYTHING he has done over the last 6 plus years.

If you think his comments this week concerning Fox was mere criticism and not a call for or even a hint of censorship, you are either sadly naive or willfully blind and deaf to the meaning of his words.

Apparently,  you have forgotten what Eric Holder and his Injustice Department did to the Associated Press, James Rosen and others all the way back in 2011 and 2012. To refresh, his goons were found to have wiretapped these entities and people because of negative reporting on Fast and Furious and other questionable activities of Barry's gang. And no one was punished, not even the Attorney General.

You can be sure that Barry, the alleged Constitutional Law Professor, was well aware of these unconstitutional violations of at least the First Amendment. As Howard Hunt said to John Dean regarding what Richard Nixon knew concerning Watergate, "Nothing is done without his knowledge or permission." The same can be said of Barry.

So when he says he wants to change what is being reported by Fox, he certainly is not making a suggestion or request. Keep this in mind, as well. The LSM rarely, if ever, reports negative information on the Obama Administration. And that bastion of liberal, socialist propaganda, MSNBC, NEVER, EVER criticizes Obama at all. Instead, the "reporters" get thrills up their legs.

I am happy when someone criticizes my commentaries because he or she is exercising their First Amendment right of Free Speech, as much as I am. I cherish this Amendment as it is the basis for all the others which follow.

My fear is that if Herr Obama succeeds in what I believe is his subliminal attempt to censor all criticism of him, his failing policies or the stooges who surround him, we won't know it happened because we did not want to appear "racist." Friends, I don't want jackboots trampling our Sacred Document, the Constitution of the United States.

Appearing to be racist because we criticize the Obama Regime is better than actually giving up our inherent Freedoms and Liberties many died to preserve and protect. They believed in the Oath they took to preserve, protect and defend our Constitution. At all costs, right up to the sacrifice of their lives.

Barry said the same words, but he cared only of his agenda to "fundamentally transform" America. The train is travelling faster and faster down that track and no one in the Congress has the guts to stop him.

I am off that train, friends; who will join me?

Matter of a Free Press in America

I used to be a devoted fan of Fox News daytime from 6 am until 7 pm. But in December, I read that the King of Saudi Arabia and his family owned a large minority share of this property. At that point, I decided I was no longer going to watch Fox.

I certainly didn't go running to MSNBC or CNN for my daily fix for information. Instead, I decided to rely on blurbs across my phone from various sources, like The New York Times, the LA Times, the Sacramento Bee, and the Boston Herald, all not exactly right-wing news sources.

In addition, in order to see news with a more moderate or conservative bent, I also looked at Conservative Tribune, Tea Party News and other sources. That would make ME "Fair and somewhat Balanced".

So, as I said, I am no longer a fan of Fox. But I am a fan of a Free Press. As you may recall, that is one of those pesky five Freedom concepts you will find in the First Amendment, along with Speech, Assembly, Religion, and Petition of the Government for a Redress of Grievances.

Perhaps, someone needs to remind the alleged Constitutional Law Professor of this small detail. He certainly never read the First Amendment, or if he did, he doesn't understand why it is first.

This week, he defiantly claimed that someone (him) needs to rein in Fox News because it is overly critical of him and his socialist programs. Tried as I might, I couldn't find this story anywhere in the Lame Steam Media, all of which is in his pocket, lapdogging his every utterance.

Except this. In the interest of total disclosure, I am forced to tell you that this story was found in the Conservative Tribune  and confirmed only in the Washington Examiner.

In his effort to call for Fox's censorship, he sounds more like an emperor or king and less like the President of the United States. Too bad the editors and publishers of all our other media sources aren't coming to Fox's defense. I guess these gutless fools are just glad it's not them or their news properties. They are collectively staying under the radar to avoid King Barry's wrath, hmmm?

While I may not care for the editorial policies of the Times, CBS, WaPo or even Newsday here on Long Island, I am a true believer in Freedom of the Press. Too bad the management of these entities are not. Otherwise, they too would be reaming Barry for his blasphemy.

Our media needs to realize that they must stand together in support of ALL our news resources, or surely, someday, they may find themselves ripped apart by some future President who will succeed where Barry has not yet done so. My fear, though, is that he might succeed yet in his quest to stifle the one critic brave enough to call him out for his unconscionable and unconstitutional behavior.

Then, what will the Times or NBC say then? Are we next?

Retire the Weeper - A Win for America

I recently became friends with JD Winteregg, through a politically active friend of mine, John LaRosa. Mr LaRosa is a partner in Four Tier Strategies, a political consulting firm.

Mr Winteregg is running in Ohio's 8th Congressional District. That's important to know because that is the current Speaker's district.

Yes, folks, JD has the audacity and the nerve to run against the allegedly second most politically powerful person in America. That's right. Someone finally has the guts to run against John Boehner and actually has a shot to win.

I know it is only the middle of May, but the Ohio Primary will be held on March 8, 2016, which is a little more than nine months away. And it will be here before you know it.

I have written about the Weeper of the House several times and have mentioned him in other commentaries many times. He is inept, weak, confused, misguided and actually does not understand his role under the Constitution.

I have to say that JD seems to be a breath of fresh air for Ohioans specifically and for Americans in general. Knowing John as I do, I can assure you that he would not risk his firm's resources and energies on one who did not have a chance to dethrone the Weeper.

So, to sum up. I think Mr Winteregg is the first of a new breed of men and women for this cycle who understand that the responsibility of an elected public servant is to serve the public who elected him, not the party bosses, or special interests.

He is a true Constitutionalist who understands that this is a Sacred Document which is not, as many in DC think including the current occupant of the White House, a suggestion list, to pick and choose which Article or section or clause to follow.

Just one point I need you to know. JD, like me and others like us, want the Congress to change the tax code to a Fair Tax, repeal the 16th Amendment and abolish the IRS.  That alone should be the reason to vote for him, whereas Rep Boehner favors the "old boy" system which continues to go along to get along with a proven failed tax system.

I hope you will join me in following JD as he marches on to the Republican primary next year. And if you live in Ohio's 8th District, please consider giving him your vote.

Don't do it for yourself, do it for your children and grandchildren. Someday, they will thank you for it.

It will be one of the most important votes you cast in 2016.

SNL. Pam Geller and Muhammed

I haven't been a fan of Saturday Night Live for at least twenty years. But I have to give a hat tip (H/T) to the cast and crew for its skit this past weekend. In addition, Reese Witherspoon needs a shout out for her courage, as well, for her participation.

The skit I am discussing was the skit which even NBC needs to have kudos for its permission to allow it to go out on its airwaves. The management did not censor, and instead, stood for the First Amendment and Free Speech.

There was plenty of courage to go around for all the participants. I think even Pamela Geller would be proud.

That's right, my friends. NBC and SNL are to be congratulated for the skit they did concerning drawing Prophet Muhammed. The audience laughed heartily, not nervously.

Apparently, in spite of the diatribe against the event in Garland, TX last week, there was much support by the people involved and in the audience to spoof the entire episode.  Good for them.

In case you missed it, I have included it here for your review,  SNL and  Muhammed.

I am sure you will agree that the LSM hype against the event is in the minority. Just in case reminders are needed, this is a country which stands for truth and honesty, in spite of what the regime in Washington demands.

In addition, I am a PROUD follower and supporter of Pamela Geller and the message she is trying to bring forth. I Stand With Pam. She has gone up against the LSM and Fox News, which, by the way, is owned partially by the Saudi family.

I stopped watching Fox long ago, as I found they weren't "Fair and Balanced" when it came to certain stories concerning ISIS. Then, I discovered why.

So, congrats to SNL one more time for its courage and to Pam Geller for hers. It is about time Americans show why we are the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave.

Mother's Day, 2015

I was trying to think of a good topic to discuss today but I didn’t want to discuss politics, the news, foreign affairs or any other topic which would leave a bad taste in everyone’s mouth over the weekend. So, I decided that since every one of us has a mother, I thought it would be nice to go into the archives, pull out an old commentary and pay tribute to the one person in our lives that we all knew the sound of her breathing and her heartbeat long before we knew who she was to us.

Each of us has a Mom who loves us unconditionally, without question and with more love for us than for any other person in her life. After all, she endured childbirth to bring us into the world. Some were done via Caesarean, some via natural childbirth, all with pain on a scale that none of us endure at any other time in our lives. And yet, within days of our births, the memory of that pain is dimmed by the fact that we are monopolizing her every waking moment, and her sleeping moments as well, for the rest her life.

There is so much more I can say, but I would only be clouding the point I am making. So, to all the Moms, Moms-in-law, wanna-be Moms, soon-to-be-Moms, GrandMoms, Wives, Aunts, Cousins, Sisters and Daughters we all have had at some point in our lives, and to the Moms who are now our Guardian Angels and are still watching us from Heaven, Happy Mother’s Day. It is the one day we can all pay tribute to the woman who loves us the most.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

The Choice of Motherhood

This weekend is Mother’s Day, a day in which we celebrate and thank our moms for giving us life. Yes, I know it wouldn't be possible without our dads, but it is our mom who watches her body change, feel the hormones drive her wacky at times and finally, have to work harder than anyone else by pushing another human being out of her body.

Sometimes, though, it isn't the biological mom that does the important stuff. Sure, our biological mom went through all of the physical angst of pregnancy and childbirth, but for whatever reason, economic, psychological, emotional, or some other reason, the biological mom is unprepared to care for the child she conceived.

That's when some other woman enters your life and declares that she is ready, willing and able to care for you, when no one else can. Somehow, there is a greater love for a child of another person, different than one given to her own, because this is a decision made not out of a night of passion with her husband or lover, but one made out of compassion for one who would otherwise be destined to a life in an orphanage or foster care, or worse, no life at all due to an abortion.

It is ironic that one of the biggest news stories this week involves a doctor, Kermit Gosnell, who made a career performing abortions mostly for women who lived in poverty, and didn't understand that they could have made a different choice. In addition, at least four of these aborted pregnancies resulted in live births and those lives were allegedly snuffed out by the doctor and his team via decapitation by snipping the spinal cord from the brain.

I am the oldest of six children. As the oldest, I can bear witness to many things, many choices, my parents made. Some were good and some, well, let's just say, didn't achieve the desired result. But two choices they did make were the most loving, the most generous, and yes, the most selfless they ever made. They adopted two of my brothers, one of whom is my godson.

But understand this. It was my mom who had to make the final decision to be willing to share her love with a child, and then children, who were not born by her. That, too, is a choice issue that is never or at least, rarely, discussed.

So, to all the moms out there, both natural and adoptive, Happy Mother’s Day! Remember all the things your mom has done for you, the least of which, is the love and guidance to make you who you are. You would not be the person you are without her.

And to my mother, know always that we will be linked as my birthday made you a mom on Mother’s Day weekend those many years ago. Happy Mother’s Day, Mom!

Ed Koch, Israel and the Anti-Semite

My good friend, the late New York City Mayor Ed Koch, is rolling in his grave today. He and I discussed his endorsement of Barack Obama for a second term, and in the end, he decided to endorse him.

He did so on the promise from Obama that he would support Israel through the peace process and in his dealings with Iran and the Muslim world. Based on that promise, Ed endorsed him and brought with him the majority of America's Jewish voters to vote for Obama over Mitt Romney.

I was emphatic with my disagreement, trying to persuade the Mayor not to endorse him for another term. I told him once Barry was re-elected, his support for Israel would dry up.

Well, today folks, I read the article I am sharing in this link, from United With Israel. Our UN Ambassador, Samantha Powers, announced this week that the Obama Administration is considering putting forward anti-Israeli resolutions in the Security Council. Just know this: the US UN Ambassador cannot even breathe unless the President of the United States approves it. That person works directly for the President, no matter who he or she is.

Barry has indicated he will not talk to Benjamin Netanyahu until the Iranian nuclear agreement is resolved, and both he and SecState John "I was for it before I was against it" Kerry have called Israel's Iranian concerns nothing but "hysteria".

That's right, friends. The President of the United States and his Number One Flunkie are true, blue anti-Semites. If YOU can't see it, well, then you haven't being paying attention. Or, your silence is condoning this undemocratic behavior being done in YOUR name. I certainly won't condone such disgusting behavior in mine.

I am, as my friend Ed was, a staunch supporter of Israel. Unlike Ed, though, I am not Jewish. I am a Christian, a believer in the greatest Jew who ever lived. And anyone who calls himself or herself the same, MUST BE a supporter of Our Lord's homeland and people. The Israelis protect the symbols and cities of Christian worship on their own, out of respect for us. Could you imagine if the Israelis weren't there, the destruction that would already have taken place to ancient Christian artifacts and graves?

We need to raise our voices to the Anti-Semite who resides in the White House to cease and desist his abhorrent behavior, in order to curry favor with terrorists and criminals. This is truly Un-Christian of him. If he were really a Christian, he would understand this. But, he isn't.

And the stooges that work for him have no guts or b@!!$ to stop him, either. As happened in the 1930s, FDR and his advisors chose to ignore what was happening in Germany and Europe until it was too late.

It is time for us to stand for Israel. Who will join me?